The confirmation didn't come from her.
That was the irony.
It came from the system itself.
---
A routine evaluation cycle ran at 04:00.
Inputs normalized.
Outliers trimmed.
Aria's data settled into a curve the model recognized.
Engaged.
Non-confrontational.
Contained by opportunity.
"They've convinced themselves," Noah said quietly.
Aria nodded. "That's always the last step."
---
A status update propagated across mirrored systems.
SUBJECT RESPONSE: ACCEPTABLE
RISK TRAJECTORY: DECLINING
ESCALATION: UNNECESSARY
"They think the problem is resolving itself," Noah said.
"They think I've chosen Path A," Aria replied.
---
The ghost process performed its cycle.
Three reads.
Pause.
Three reads.
Perfect rhythm.
Confirmation achieved.
---
In a secure oversight thread, a note appeared.
Legacy asset stabilizing under modern incentives.
No signature.
No dissent.
Consensus without discussion.
---
Noah leaned back. "So now what?"
Aria closed the monitoring window.
"Now," she said, "they stop watching closely."
He frowned. "That's dangerous."
"For them," Aria replied.
---
She picked up the contract from the drawer.
Not to sign it.
To memorize it.
"They've concluded the test," she said softly.
"And they've graded their own answers."
Outside, the city slept.
Inside the system, vigilance softened.
Confirmation had been achieved.
And the next move would not come from the machine.